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Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 11:58 am
by ARGO57
Argonaut fans have been treated to several World Championships over the years but the flip side to this is some very disappointing seasons following these championships as noted in John Hodge’s 3Down article.
The upside to this is they can reverse their fortunes rather quickly with solid off season moves which hopefully will be the case this time.
https://3downnation.com/2026/01/02/the- ... l-history/
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 12:07 pm
by Will
What's the most common denominator of these hangover years? It is significant changes at the QB position.
2024 --> 2025: Chad Kelly is out for the season, and replaced by Nick Arbuckle. Now, to be fair, Arbuckle played solid for parts of the season, and as someone put it online, he wasn't the sole reason for the 5-13 finish, but lacked a certain 'oomph' in certain games that the Argos might have otherwise won. However, the defense also wasn't very good.
2017 --> 2018: pretty self-explanatory. Ricky Ray got hurt early in the season and James Franklin and McLeod Bethel-Thompson weren't great as replacements. But, again, the defense was bad.
1997 --> 1998: Kerwin Bell was solid as the QB, but nobody can replace Doug Flutie. I think the defense was still good. It was a lack of running game that killed this team ultimately.
1991 --> 1992: Matt Dunigan signs with Winnipeg, and Rickey Foggie isn't up to the task of being the undisputed #1.
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 12:13 pm
by ARGO57
Will wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 12:07 pm
What's the most common denominator of these hangover years? It is significant changes at the QB position.
2024 --> 2025: Chad Kelly is out for the season, and replaced by Nick Arbuckle. Now, to be fair, Arbuckle played solid for parts of the season, and as someone put it online, he wasn't the sole reason for the 5-13 finish, but lacked a certain 'oomph' in certain games that the Argos might have otherwise won. However, the defense also wasn't very good.
2017 --> 2018: pretty self-explanatory. Ricky Ray got hurt early in the season and James Franklin and McLeod Bethel-Thompson weren't great as replacements. But, again, the defense was bad.
1997 --> 1998: Kerwin Bell was solid as the QB, but nobody can replace Doug Flutie. I think the defense was still good. It was a lack of running game that killed this team ultimately.
1991 --> 1992: Matt Dunigan signs with Winnipeg, and Rickey Foggie isn't up to the task of being the undisputed #1.
100% true Will, upgrade some roster deficiencies and get Kelly back healthy = better days ahead!
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 2:38 pm
by IssuesMcgee
Is it really a hangover if you lose your QB?
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:47 pm
by gilthethrill
I like Hodge, but the 1998 " Hangover" is a load of crap. Sure they won 6 fewer games than in 1997...but they won 15 games that year!! To go 9-9 and make the playoffs after winning it all the year before shouldn't even be mentioned. He should do an article on longest consecutive Grey Cup losses in a row.
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 7:27 pm
by IssuesMcgee
gilthethrill wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:47 pm
I like Hodge, but the 1998 " Hangover" is a load of crap. Sure they won 6 fewer games than in 1997...but they won 15 games that year!! To go 9-9 and make the playoffs after winning it all the year before shouldn't even be mentioned. He should do an article on longest consecutive Grey Cup losses in a row.
That would require throwing shade at a team other than the Argos...
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 7:30 pm
by ARGO57
IssuesMcgee wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 7:27 pm
gilthethrill wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:47 pm
I like Hodge, but the 1998 " Hangover" is a load of crap. Sure they won 6 fewer games than in 1997...but they won 15 games that year!! To go 9-9 and make the playoffs after winning it all the year before shouldn't even be mentioned. He should do an article on longest consecutive Grey Cup losses in a row.
That would require throwing shade at a team other than the Argos...
Justin Dunk in particular like to take shots at the Argonaut organization.
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 11:27 pm
by ArgoRavi
gilthethrill wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:47 pm
I like Hodge, but the 1998 " Hangover" is a load of crap. Sure they won 6 fewer games than in 1997...but they won 15 games that year!! To go 9-9 and make the playoffs after winning it all the year before shouldn't even be mentioned. He should do an article on longest consecutive Grey Cup losses in a row.
They lost a lot of players in the off-season following the 1997 championship - several to the NFL (e.g., Johnnie Harris, Doug Flutie, Mike Vanderjagt), others to other CFL teams, yet others to retirement (e.g., Rob Waldrop) and, sadly, even death (Norm Casola). I would hardly call 1998 a hangover year. They were actually 9-6:and very much in the hunt for first place after Thanksgiving before hitting a late-season slump.
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 11:29 pm
by ArgoRavi
ARGO57 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 7:30 pm
IssuesMcgee wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 7:27 pm
gilthethrill wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 6:47 pm
I like Hodge, but the 1998 " Hangover" is a load of crap. Sure they won 6 fewer games than in 1997...but they won 15 games that year!! To go 9-9 and make the playoffs after winning it all the year before shouldn't even be mentioned. He should do an article on longest consecutive Grey Cup losses in a row.
That would require throwing shade at a team other than the Argos...
Justin Dunk in particular like to take shots at the Argonaut organization.
I like Dunk but suspect he was a Ticats fan growing up.
Re: Argonaut Grey Cup Hangovers (3Down)
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2026 1:13 pm
by Stevoman
Of course the Argos have more Grey Cup hangovers, they have more Grey Cups!